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PLYMOUTH – During the early goings of the season, Novi Detroit Catholic Central could be considered road warriors.

That’s because the Shamrocks (4-1) are undefeated on the road in three contests. However, when Catholic Central played arch rival Brother Rice last Wednesday at Compuware Arena (its first home game), the Shamrocks felt “embarrassed” after a 7-4 loss.

On Saturday, against previously unbeaten Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-1), the Shamrocks came out angry and made a statement, beating the Eaglets’ 6-1 at home.

The days leading up to the Shamrocks’ return to Compuware, the team wanted to reclaim home ice. Catholic Central head coach Todd Johnson said after the game that this team was on a mission.

“There was a lot things said (leading up to the game),” Johnson said. “And a lot of it wasn’t by coaches, either. There’s a lot of pride in that room, and the players knew they disappointed themselves.”

The Shamrocks’ first line headed by seniors Michael Babcock and Charlie Green as well as junior Matthew Sorisho, accounted for all of Catholic Central’s six goals, and used an explosive first period to build a lead Catholic Central would never give up.

Two minutes into the first period Catholic Central was down a man after a penalty to junior Austin Linville. While St. Mary’s tried to move the puck through the neutral zone, Green executed a perfect pick-pocket and buried a breakaway shorthanded goal to give the Shamrocks an early 1-0 lead.

Midway through the first, Catholic Central found itself on the power play after the Eaglets’ junior Brent Lubin committed a penalty. Senior defensemen Nick Daigneau moved the puck into the Eaglets’ end and left it for fellow junior defensemen Luke Turner, who fired a shot that was turned away. However, Babcock followed the play and tapped in an easy rebound past St. Mary’s sophomore goaltender Will Ulrich for a 2-0.

30 seconds later, Sorisho intercepted an Eaglets’ pass at center ice and walked the puck over to the left side of St. Mary’s end and fired a bullet over Ulrich for an early 3-0.

In the second period, Babcock continued to be in the right place at the right time. After earning his second goal of the game, Babcock and his line continued to pressure Ulrich, who turned away shot after shot. Babcock then fired a shot stick side that found the back of the net for his hat trick.

In the third period, Babcock played the role of set-up man. Six minutes into the period, Babcock circled the back of the net and found Sorisho, who had two assists, sitting on top of the crease for an easy point blank goal to give the Shamrocks a 6-1 lead.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s head coach Brian Klanow was unhappy with his team’s performance, and stood by his goaltender. After the game, Klanow said that he thought about pulling Ulrich but thought better of it.

“We thought about (pulling him),” said Klanow. “However, we just felt that he was not the problem. The problem was around him. He did a good job.”

Sophomore forward Nick Borellis scored the Eaglets’ only goal in the second period when Catholic Central senior goaltender Derek Moore was out of position to stop the rebound goal.

Klanow didn’t offer any further insight to his team other than “they didn’t battle” after the game.

Catholic Central’s defense also responded on Saturday. The defense allowed just 11 shots on goal while the Shamrocks’ offense tallied 48. Catholic Central was also perfect, killing four power plays in four attempts for the game.

Johnson credited his team’s attention to detail and its physical presence along the ice in the win. He also credited his senior goaltender.

“Derek had a good game,” said Johnson. “He was real solid. The biggest thing for Derek tonight was the way he managed the puck behind the net. He’s like a third defensemen back there, and made real good decisions. He’s a real big starter for what we do to earn the puck back.

The Shamrocks will travel to Bloomfield Hills to face Cranbrook on Dec. 7 while St. Mary’s will host Cranbrook the following night on Dec. 8.